Public meeting over Cotswolds bridge closed after car crash
People will find out more about plans to repair a historic bridge in the Cotswolds[1] that was damaged when a car crashed into it. Halfpenny Bridge is closed to vehicles while engineers assess the damage and seek to repair it.
The crash happened in the early hours of Tuesday June 20, causing significant damage to the bridge’s wall. A road closure[2] has been put in place on the A361 but remains open to pedestrians and cyclists.
Now people will have the chance to quiz highways chiefs about any plans to repair the bridge. A meeting will be held next Thursday, July 20.
A Gloucestershire County Council[4] spokesperson said the bridge has now undergone a “comprehensive inspection by structural engineers” and this assessment will inform the repair work.It will now complete a detailed design for the repair.
As the bridge is a listed structure and scheduled ancient monument “the repair is a complex process and will need to be sensitive to the structure”, the council said. The designs must be submitted to Historic England and the Secretary of State to approve them before work can begin.
Engagement with Historic England and the Secretary of State has already started and the council is working with them so repairs can be made as quickly as possible, the spokesman added.
The council is also in contact with the Environment Agency, Lechlade-on-Thames Town Council and local community groups throughout the work. This is in addition to Swindon Borough Council who are involved in the diversion route for road closures south of the bridge.
Gloucestershire County Councillor Dom Morris (C, Fairford and Lechlade-on-Thames), cabinet member responsible for highways at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “I understand the inconvenience of the closure to residents and businesses caused by a vehicle hitting the bridge, and I thank them for their patience.
“I would encourage people to come to the public meeting at Lechlade Memorial Hall next week where I will be able to answer questions on the repair process.I am doing everything I can to push forward the repair work as quickly as possible and will provide updates throughout the process.”
The meeting will be held at Lechlade Memorial Hall, Oak Street, Lechlade-on-Thames, GL7 3AY, at 6pm on Thursday July 20.
References
- ^ Cotswolds (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ road closure (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Cotswolds bridge closure causing 'hell' as 'summer ruined' for small hamlet (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Gloucestershire County Council (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)